Top San Antonio area stories of 2013

These are the top local stories of 2013, chosen by San Antonio Express-News editors.

By San Antonio Express-News staff

on December 29, 2013 12:15 AM

Photo: Courtesy photo

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1. “Twice Betrayed”

A year after Express-News coverage put sexual assaults of trainees by instructors at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in the national spotlight and raised doubts about the military's ability to police itself, reforms are looming. less

A year after Express-News coverage put sexual assaults of trainees by instructors at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in the national spotlight and raised doubts about the military's ability to police itself, ... more

Photo: AP

A year after Express-News coverage put sexual assaults of trainees... Photo-5469648.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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2. Secret recordings/NDO

It all began in May, when Councilman Diego Bernal officially requested an update of the city's anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status.

The proposal quickly became controversial as some in the city's religious community lined up against it. In August, it made national headlines after the Express-News obtained the audio from a secretly recorded staff meeting of then-Councilwoman Elisa Chan. less

It all began in May, when Councilman Diego Bernal officially requested an update of the city's anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status.

It all began in May, when Councilman Diego Bernal officially... Photo-5110069.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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Texas opened a new chapter in the abortion battle this year, and in the process made Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, a nationally noted political phenomenon who has since launched a credible race for governor.

Texas opened a new chapter in the abortion battle this year, and in the process made Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, a nationally noted political phenomenon who has since launched a credible race for governor.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Texas opened a new chapter in the abortion battle this year, and in... Photo-4854850.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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4. West fertilizer explosion

A farming community rightly proud of its Czech and German heritage, this ordinary town on Interstate 35 about 70 miles south of Dallas became the site of tragedy when the West fertilizer plant exploded on April 17.
The blast, which was felt 50 miles away, killed 15 — including 10 first responders — and injured more than 160. less

A farming community rightly proud of its Czech and German heritage, this ordinary town on Interstate 35 about 70 miles south of Dallas became the site of tragedy when the West fertilizer plant exploded on April ... more

Photo: Associated Press

A farming community rightly proud of its Czech and German heritage,... Photo-4895965.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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5. S.A. Four released

For the women now known internationally as the San Antonio Four, 2013 marked a monumental shift in their fight for exoneration, with the Bexar County district attorney's office agreeing to their release from prison under a new law that targets faulty scientific evidence.
On Nov. 18, Elizabeth Ramirez, 39, Cassandra Rivera, 38, and Kristie Mayhugh, 40, walked out of the Bexar County Jail hand-in-hand with their co-defendant Anna Vasquez, 38, who had been released from prison on parole a year earlier. less

For the women now known internationally as the San Antonio Four, 2013 marked a monumental shift in their fight for exoneration, with the Bexar County district attorney's office agreeing to their release from ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

For the women now known internationally as the San Antonio Four,... Photo-5506401.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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6. May 25 flood/Drought

After enduring the harshest drought since the 1950s, Texas finally got some relief in 2013 from spring and summer rains, and by fall, less than half the state was in a drought.
In San Antonio, when the rains finally came, it was with a vengeance, as the storm of May 25 reportedly dropped up to 17 inches and claimed three lives. less

After enduring the harshest drought since the 1950s, Texas finally got some relief in 2013 from spring and summer rains, and by fall, less than half the state was in a drought.
In San Antonio, when the rains ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

After enduring the harshest drought since the 1950s, Texas finally... Photo-4685103.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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7. UIW Shooting

Robert Cameron Redus, 23, was a senior honor student at the University of Incarnate Word.
Cpl. Christopher J.Carter was a university policeman who, at about 2 a.m. on Dec. 6, pulled Redus over a few blocks from campus, allegedly for erratic driving.
Police say Redus was shot to death by Carter after resisting arrest. They said Redus took the officer's baton and struck him several times. less

Robert Cameron Redus, 23, was a senior honor student at the University of Incarnate Word.
Cpl. Christopher J.Carter was a university policeman who, at about 2 a.m. on Dec. 6, pulled Redus over a few blocks ... more

Photo: For The SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Robert Cameron Redus, 23, was a senior honor student at the... Photo-5600825.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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8. Sarah Brasse

Last June, the Express-News told the story of 8-year-old Sarah Brasse, who died in 2009 of what prosecutors would later argue was untreated acute appendicitis.
The story prompted the head of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services to promise an in-depth review of management practices. less

Last June, the Express-News told the story of 8-year-old Sarah Brasse, who died in 2009 of what prosecutors would later argue was untreated acute appendicitis.
The story prompted the head of the Texas ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Last June, the Express-News told the story of 8-year-old Sarah... Photo-4735270.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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9. Officer Robert Deckard

San Antonio Police Officer Robert Deckard, 31, was filling in for another officer on Dec. 8, when, at about 2 a.m., he spotted a car on Roosevelt Avenue that was linked to a rash of armed robberies.
According to police, the occupants fired at Deckard as he pursued them south on Interstate 37. One bullet struck him in the forehead, causing his patrol car to crash. Deckard, a seven-year veteran of the force, died from his injures Dec. 20. less

San Antonio Police Officer Robert Deckard, 31, was filling in for another officer on Dec. 8, when, at about 2 a.m., he spotted a car on Roosevelt Avenue that was linked to a rash of armed robberies. ... more

Photo: Courtesy

San Antonio Police Officer Robert Deckard, 31, was filling in for... Photo-5627427.76798 - San Antonio Express-News

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10. Streetcar routes

Despite persistent opposition to VIA Metropolitan Transit's plans for a downtown streetcar system, board trustees took a major step forward this year by selecting the specific route the rail cars will travel.

Despite persistent opposition to VIA Metropolitan Transit's plans for a downtown streetcar system, board trustees took a major step forward this year by selecting the specific route the rail cars will travel.

In a series of 2013 prosecutions, federal authorities tried to show the degree that dirty money from Mexico has spread into Texas and the U.S.
An indictment unsealed in Brownsville in November charged Tomás Yarrington Ruvalcaba, the former governor of the border state of Tamaulipas, with racketeering and financial crimes. less

In a series of 2013 prosecutions, federal authorities tried to show the degree that dirty money from Mexico has spread into Texas and the U.S.
An indictment unsealed in Brownsville in November charged Tomás ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

In a series of 2013 prosecutions, federal authorities tried to show... Photo-5541086.76798 - San Antonio Express-News